An overlooked Scot

With a name like Iwelumo, Colchester's 6ft 4in striker might not seem an obvious Scotsman to the casual observer.

Iwelumo battles with Liam Chilvers of Preston

But don't be fooled by the name. This proud son of Coatbridge is Scottish through and through – and desperate to represent his country.

A Scotland training squad was announced last week and again Iwelumo was overlooked. And as he has scored 15 goals this season only three behind the Championship's leading scorer, Diomansy Kamara Â Iwelumo thought he might at least win a spot in the B-squad for their match against Finland this week. But no joy.

"I don't know what action to take," Iwelumo said after his club's 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Saturday. "I think Walter Smith going to Rangers must have killed my chances a little bit. I think Alex McLeish came in on the Monday and announced the squad on the Tuesday and it's one of those things."

McLeish's hurried appointment cannot be the reason, can it? "I think I've had enough press coverage up North for them to know I'm Scottish by now," Iwelumo, 28, said "I'm Scottish born and bred and left there when I was 19 years old.

"There's not been any contact with the Scottish Football Association at all. I've scored 15 goals in the second tier of English football – and I think the SPL is probably on a par with that – but I didn't even get a sniff with the B-squad."

Even if you disagree with Iwelumo's claim that the Scottish Premier is of the same standard as the championship, the sore thumb in McLeish's hand is the selection of misfiring Cardiff striker Steve Thompson (Championship goals this season – five). Just a coincidence I'm sure, but the man who signed Thompson for Rangers back in 2003 was? Yep, Alex McLeish.

It's probably cock-up rather than conspiracy but it still goes to show even in football it's not what you know, it's who you know. After all, look at all those England squads Ian Walker made it intoÂ…